Items with Luggage – Taxed?

[ibarnon]

I am returning to Costa Rica next week and bringing in a few items that are a little of higher value:

2 Voltage regulators – about $45 each
Wireless router – $100
Computer camera – $100
LCD Computer monitor 23″ – $550

Would I be charged tax for these items even though they are for personal use?

Anyone had any experience regarding something like this before?

Thanks.

ibarnon

[DavidCMurray]

If you’re traveling with someone else, split up the “loot” between the two of you and spread it among all your luggage. Be sure to declare it. Then go through the “Nothing to Declare” line and let Customs catch you up. Practice playing stupid.

Remember, each person gets a $500 duty exemption every six months.

[Andrew]

I have never once been charged for anything that I have bought abroad for personal use and brought back into the country. This includes digital cameras, laptop computers and hundreds of music CDs (before I discovered the iPod).

Customs are naturally more concerned about you buying products in bulk and bringing them into the country to sell here.

Costa Rica is improving their tax collection processes and some companies are now paying the import taxes that they should have been paying in the past but have somehow avoided – this is good for all of us.

Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostasRica.com

[ssure]

My daughter and I have been back and forth to Costa Rica 3 or 4 times a year for the last few years. Since she’s living there and they have a business we always pack a lot of things that would/should be taxed but are not. Once we packed 20 lifejackets in a big hockey goalie bag and they didn’t tax it or even make her use her exemption. The airlines charge us about $100 extra for an additional bag but it’s worth it when you look at the cost of shipping a box or two over there from Canada.

[ibarnon]

Thanks for the replies. We’re back now and were not taxed for any of the items I brought in. Its actually quite a lot, totalled eight boxes of goods, but mostly assorted items. They did asked us about the items and one guy rechecked our declaration form.

[Author]

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